Village of Castelmezzano, Potenza, Basilicata, Italy

© Roberto Moiola/Getty Image

Shining city on the hill. Castelmezzano, Italy

What appears to be an undulating ribbon of fire clinging to the side of a mountain is actually the medieval village of Castelmezzano, one of Italy’s most beautiful and undiscovered places. Perched along the western side of the San Martino mountains in the southern part of the Italian Peninsula, Castelmezzano has offered protection on these craggy cliffs since first settled by Greeks 2,500 years ago. Consider visiting Castelmezzano for the Volo dell'Angelo (Angel Flight), a high-speed zip line across the valley connecting neighbouring Pietrapertosa, that reaches speeds of more than 112 kmph some 396 metres off the ground. Hurtling through the air not your thing? Consider the enchanting Percorso delle Sette Pietre (Seven Stones Path), a literary walk based on ancient stories handed down orally. Each of the seven stations you’ll visit along the 2.4-kilometre-long path has a huge stone statue that, as the visitor passes, activates voices, sounds, narratives and music.